A look at the benefits of attending to-the-trade design fairs and which are worth the investment

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Furniture fairs and design festivals have been proliferating around the globe in recent years, filling up calendars with an extensive list of potential business trips. Whatever your preferred style or desired destination, there is probably an event that caters to your tastes. But, professionally, is it worthwhile investing the time and resources required to attend furniture fairs? And which are the key events to attend? We recently spoke with a few designers, and frequent fair-goers, to get their thoughts.

Among the top reasons for attending furniture fairs is that they're often great places to find new inspiration. "As a product designer and an interior designer, I think these shows are invaluable," says Los Angeles-based Barbara Barry. "I didn't know how much more was available, and at a lower price, than what is offered in the more rarefied design centers," she says. "It's a different product," than the one-of-a-kind antique finds and custom-crafted pieces that decorators often source, she notes. "But designers need different products for different parts of the house, or for different projects."

"I like to have the pulse of what's going on in the world," says New York interior designer Amy Lau, explaining why she attends furniture fairs from Paris to Palm Springs. "You get to see what's happening, including new materials, new kinds of wallcoverings, and new developments in accessories. I come away having spotted things I've never seen before, which I can use creatively and artistically. They feed the eye."

"It's definitely a valuable thing for interior designers to do," agrees Jayne Michaels of the New York design firm 2Michaels. "I think you have to go, just to keep up on what's out there, and emerging trends." She cites the European fairs in particular. "You absolutely see things beyond what's in the showrooms. You see companies that aren't even normally available in the United States. People who go come back so charged, and so inspired."

Where to go

On the domestic circuit, "I think most designers would find High Point Market very informative," Barry says of the North Carolina fair that presents the wares of more than 2,000 exhibitors twice annually. On the European circuit, Barry particularly likes Decorex International, which takes place in London in late September, and offers a more tightly curated show of about 300 exhibitors.

Lau, a co-founder of Design Miami (during which Elle Decor will present a new showhouse), continues to have a soft spot for that fair. "You see what's going on in the marketplace," she says. "You see the best of design, from post-war to contemporary, and all the emerging trends. The dealers also do their spaces artistically, which is very interesting from the interior designer's perspective." In Paris, "I love Maison & Objet," which takes place every January and September, she says. "It's an exciting place, with a great mix. One of its strong points is that it's very diverse."

For Michaels, the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, or Milan furniture fair, which presents products from about 1,300 exhibitors every April in a 1.5-million-square-foot, purpose-built convention center, "is definitely the one. You see much more of the cutting edge, and a broad spectrum of furniture, lighting, accessories, and even art." As important as the fair itself are "the satellite shows all around the city," which happen at the same time. "You see many different vignettes and ideas."

What to know before you go

"The most important thing to be aware of is that the shows are set up to sell to furniture dealers, and are not geared to individuals," says Barry. "If you know that in advance then you won't get set on buying as much as looking." However, she points out, "there are exceptions," when companies will sometimes sell directly to design firms.

If you attend high-end events like Design Miami where dealers will sell directly to designers, "you're going to be dealing with high prices, because they're the best galleries in the world," warns Lau. For more shoppable destinations, she recommends more off-the-radar events like the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale every February. "I go every year, and designers can buy like they're at a flea market," she says. "I come back with tons of stuff, for me and for clients.

In addition to searching out new furniture and accessories, Michaels says she also uses furniture fairs to look for smaller operations with the thought of possible future collaborations. "You can find really good cabinetmakers and artisans who can do custom work," she says. And, even though hotel rates can rise dramatically when furniture fairs come to town (cost-saving advice: book early), Michaels advises "sometimes you just have to make an investment, and put yourself out there."